Air Pollution Presentation 

(Photo above taken from my groups presentation on the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion). 

Winnie, Jack, and I presented on stratospheric ozone depletion at roughly 8:45am on Wednesday, February 22nd 2023. We talked about the effects, history, present day, and the future of ozone depletion. OUR PRESENTATION

I found Jackson, Katie, Barrett, and Zach's presentation on acid rain and mercury deposition very interesting. This group presented at around 10am on Tuesday, February 21st 2023. I learned that there are two main types of acid found in acid deposition, sulfuric acid (secondary pollutant) and sulfur dioxide (primary pollutant). These two acids react with the water and oxygen in the atmosphere. The primary pollutants can come from various sources. Including factories, coal factories, and car exhaust. The United States established "The Acid Rain Program", this is a part of the Clean Air act of 1990. As Katie explained, "This program set up an emissions trading system: Coal-fired power plants now have the ability to buy and sell SO2 emissions".   This program was designed to decrease the emissions of sulfur dioxide from power plants. I also learned about mercury deposition in their presentation. I learned how there are two types of mercury deposition. Wet deposition is when mercury is taken from the atmosphere in the water cycle and rains down onto earth. Dry deposition is when mercury is taken from the atmosphere and deposited into the ground through trees. Zach taught the class on mercury contaminated foods. Zach explained that, "Symptoms of mercury exposure include: neurological, kidney, gastrointestinal, genetic, cardiovascular, developmental disorders, and death. Zach explained how primarily fish carry mercury and to be careful eating certain fish. 

These presentations opened my eyes to all of the dangerous pollutants that surround us on Earth. I was unaware of the problems with mercury that makes its way into fish and then us humans consume the fish. I was also unaware that acid rain was actually a common thing. When I used to think of acid rain, I would think of rain that could burn our skin or cause lots of damage. I learned during the presentations that acid rain is a lot more mild and common. I learned from Katie that actually, "Acid rain also has an impact on non living things: It erodes stone buildings, statues, and writing on headstones along with corroding car batteries". The presentations also taught me about the clean air acts and the steps our world is already taking to battle these phenomenons. Overall, all of the presentations have taught me something important about air pollution that everyone should know.